Rusty Paint UPDATE 2: hearing rumors that Rusty Wallace will run a Harley Davidson scheme at either the Winston or later in the year??(4-28-1999) -- UPDATE 1: Quote from Wallace in a TNN chat: "Nothing at The Winston. We'll be coming out with a new paint scheme the first week of June that will just blow everybody clear off the map. I think it's gonna be very exciting, but I'm not gonna give anybody a hint."(5-15-1999) -- UPDATE 2: Sources tell me it will be Harley-Davidson, probably at Michigan on June 13th(5-16-1999)

Hills Brothers and the #90 UPDATE 1: Besides being on Junie Donlavey's #90 Ford at Richmond this weekend, Hill Brothers Coffee will sponsor the car for two additional races, Talladega in Oct. and at Richmond in the fall. Donlavey will receive less than $100,000 per event from Nestle in the name of Hills Brothers(Times-Dispatch)(5-15-1999) -- UPDATE 1: The #90 Donlavey Ford missed making the Richmond race but did get some good news yesterday. Roger Bear of Keystone Marketing said Hills Brothers Coffee is interested in extending its sponsorship with Donlavey to the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 30(Times-Dispatch)(5-16-1999)

Irvan-Simo: Boris Said will attempt to make the field for the May 30 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte in the #14 Ford owned by Irvan-Simo Motorsports(That's Racin')(5-16-1999)

Money: By winning the Pontiac Excitement 400 and leading the Cup points, Dale Jarrett won the NASCAR Winston Cup Leader Bonus of $60,000 for leading the points and winning the race(5-16-1999)

Diamond Ridge News: Diamond Ridge Motorsports owner Gary Bechtel(BGN #4) wants to be back in Winston Cup Series racing by the year 2001. Bechtel is taking it slow and has pulled back to ensure it achieves success before it makes the next step. Plans are to have the first Diamond Ridge-built car ready for the October BGN event at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Curtis Markham will run the 2nd car, #29, at Gateway International Raceway in September and in the inaugural Diamond Ridge "house car," at Lowe's on Oct. 9.(in part from NOL) Bechtel wants Markham back in the car on a full-time basis next season, if he still is available(Times-Dispatch)(5-15-1999)

Earnhardt Bar: NASCAR technical inspectors confiscated the "Earnhardt bar" from the #66 Ford of Darrell Waltrip during pre-practice inspections Friday. The ``Earnhardt bar'' - named for the seven-time Winston Cup champion who first used the device on his cars - is a piece of the roll cage that starts behind the rear-view mirror and down the front of the windshield. Waltrip's bar was too light and NASCAR ordered his team to replace it(That's Racin')(5-15-1999)

RIR Announcements UPDATE 1 Special Cope Paint: Bahari Racing and Washington Erving Motorsports(WEM) will hold news conferences at RIR this weekend to make sponsor announcements(Times-Dispatch), I have no idea what either are about...yet(5-12-1999) -- UPDATE 1: Jimmy Dean Foods, sponsor of the #30 Bahari Pontiac and driver Derrike Cope, announced plans for a special paint scheme for the #30 at Richmond this weekend. Renowned motorsports artist Sam Bass, who designed all of the paint schemes for the Pontiacs at Bahari' Racing, also created the 30th anniversary layout on the #30 Pontiac for Saturday's Pontiac Excitement 400. It features gold metal flake paint serving as the primary color and Jimmy Dean 30th anniversary logos on the hood and rear decklid(Derrike Cope Fan Club Site, see an image there), a new contest was announced and info can be found on my Racing Contest Page -- news on a sweet accociate sponsor for the WEM team is on the BGN/CTS news and rumors page(5-15-1999)

Kimmel News: ARCA Champ, Frank Kimmel,is going to attempt to run the Winston Open in the #46 Advance Auto Parts Chevy. The opportunity came about when he drove the #23 Travis Carter Winston Ford at Michigan last year when Jimmy Spencer was injured(5-14-1999)

Good News: John Ventura owner/editor of "Track Talk" magazine, received a liver transplant May 5th. Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers and a special thank you to the donor and their family(5-14-1999)

#78 Auction UPDATE 1: The following was seen in the classified section of Sunday's May 9, 1999's edition of the Winston-Salem Journal that says Triad Motorsports(#78) is having a Liquidation Auction on Monday, May 17, 1999 at 10:00am/et in Thomasville, NC. Up for sale are eight(8) 1999 Ford Taurus race cars, a show car with truck and trailer, 1998 Kenworth Truck, 1997 Featherlite Transporter along with shop equipment, car parts, pit equipment, 3 acres of land, shop and buildings and many tools and equipment(thanks Joe), also hear auction notices were mailed out(5-10-1999) -- UPDATE 1: Saw the Auction Notice in today's Winston Cup Scene. Address and phone number: Godley Auction Co. Inc, 4918 Rozzells Ferry Road, Charlotte, NC 28216. 704-399-1482(5-14-1999)

Shepherd Deal UPDATE 1: Morgan Shepherd announced today that he has entered int a joint venture with FAIN Motor Sports of Lexington, Tn. FAIN Motor Sports is a fan based group with a new concept in NASCAR racing sponsorship. Morgan will drive his first race under the FAIN Motor Sports banner at the Winston Open at Charlotte, on May 22. More information on FAIN Motor Sports and Morgan Shepherd can be obtained at www.fainmotorsports.com or by calling FAIN Motor Sports at (901)968-8100 (Fain PR)(5-14-1999)

Noticed on RPM2Nite: Some paint schemes, the #98 has Hobas Pipe as their sponsor and has a white paint scheme with light blue decals. The #90 Junie Donlavey Ford has Hills Brothers Coffee as the sponsor for driver Hut Stricklin and is red with white decals. The #16 Primestar/TV Guide Ford is painted white this week(RPM2Nite)(5-14-1999)

Elliott Paint UPDATE 1: I hear Bill Elliott will run an Inspector Gadget(Disney Movie) paint scheme sometime in early in the summer(5-13-1999) -- UPDATE 1: I hear the scheme will be run at Loudon, NH on July 11th(5-14-1999)

New Benson Crew Chief UPDATE 1: Roush Racing announced today that Pat Tryson has been named crew chief of the #26 Roush Racing Taurus. Tryson comes from a year-long position as the car chief for Chad Little and the #97 John Deere team. He will begin his crew chief duties for driver Johnny Benson this weekend in Richmond, VA. Tryson came on with Roush mid-season in '98 as car chief/chassis specialist for Chad Little and the John Deere team. This weekend in Richmond, VA Tryson will be the active crew chief for Johnny Benson and the #26 Cheerios racing team(Roush Racing PR). It is unsure what Bobby Leslie, the former crew chief, plans are(RPM2Nite)(5-13-1999) -- UPDATE 1: Several key members of Roush Racing's #26 team, including crew chief Bobby Leslie, reportedly parted ways with the team on Thursday(Power Team Page), Tryson is Geoff Bodines former crew chief(#7) and was Todd Bodines crew chief on the ill-fated Tabasco car(5-14-1999)

Pace Car: The 2000 Chevy Monte Carlo will pace the Coca-Cola 600 this year. Richard Childress, owner of the #3 and #31 teams, will mark his 30th year in racing by driving the pace car(NOL)(5-14-1999)

DJ's Winston Car UPDATE 1: The #88 Quality Care/Ford Credit Taurus, in "The Winston" paint scheme, will be displayed in Byrd Park at the Richmond, Virginia Race for the Cure(a 5K run/fitness walk benefitting breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment) this Saturday, May 8. Continuing their assault on breast cancer, Dale Jarrett, Robert Yates Racing, and their sponsors Ford Quality Care Service and Ford Credit will present a new look at NASCAR's "The Winston" on May 22, designed entirely to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Normally painted all blue with red and white trim, the #88 Quality Care Service/Ford Credit Taurus will circle Lowe's Motor Speedway pearl-white with blue and red trim for this winners-only NASCAR Winston Cup event in Charlotte. Jarrett's driver suit and his crew's hats will be adorned with the signature 'pink ribbon,' symbolic of the Komen Foundation. Jarrett, Robert Yates Racing, Quality Care Service and Ford Credit have agreed to donate 100% of the profits generated with the sale of all merchandise associated with this car, including die-cast cars, t-shirts and hats, to the Komen Foundation. For more info see the article at the Motorsport News International site.(5-7-1999) UPDATE 1:, see an image of the car at DieHard NASCAR Fan Site)(5-14-1999)

(5-13-1999)

Craven Assoc.StockCar Stocks will be an associate sponsor of the #58 Hollywood Video Ford driven by Ricky Craven for the two Charlotte Races (The Winston Open and
the Coca-Cola 600)(5-13-1999)

Phillies and NASCAR: NASCAR is moving into the Philadelphia area a week early. To promote the First Union 200 Busch Grand National race at Nazareth Speedway on May 23, four drivers will participate in ``NASCAR Night at the Phillies' Saturday. Tim Fedewa, last year's First Union 200 winner, Dave Blaney and Jimmy Kitchens will be joined by Bruce Driver, of the Featherlite Modified Series. Before the Phillies-Mets game at 7:05pm/et on May 15th, the drivers will enter the field in a Nazareth Speedway pace car. Somehow, the four will throw out the ceremonial first pitch(That's Racin')(5-13-1999)

Pace Car: The 2000 Chevy Monte Carlo will pace the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway near Charlotte. Richard Childress, owner of the #3 and #31 teams, will mark his 30th year in racing by driving the pace car(NOL)(5-13-1999)

Elliott Crew Chief UPDATE 1 and crew: Wayne Orme is Bill Elliott's new crew chief on the #94 Ford(Times-Dispatch/That's Racin')(5-11-1999) -- UPDATE 1: Bill Elliott Racing has named Wayne Orme (OR-me) crew chief of the #94 McDonald's Ford Taurus. In addition, the team has added Gordy Arbitter, front tire changer, and Greg Ely, shock specialist, to the Drive-Thru Crew. Orme, 29, joined Bill Elliott Racing in December, 1998, serving as crew chief of the #13 Ford Taurus at the Daytona 500 in February. Since then, he has been a mechanic and chassis specialist on the #94 McDonald's Racing Team(McDonald's PR)(5-13-1999)

#91 Crew Chief: Nicholas Short has been named the new crew chief for the #91 LJ Racing Chevy and driver Dick Trickle(NASCAR Today Radio)(5-13-1999)

Sparky Plug Hears...UPDATE 1 Denied: "One of our garage area spies tells us venerable Dave Marcis will announce his retirement at the July race at Daytona. The rest of the year will be a farewell tour. In honor of Marcis, our source(Sparky source) says, Dale Earnhardt will drive a special camouflage paint scheme -- gold and black car with Goodwrench service on the hood -- at the Daytona night race. Marcis is expected to be back for one more race next year -- the Daytona 500 in February 2000. That would give him a Daytona 500 start" (assuming he qualifies, which he has done every year since 1968) in five decades and two centuries(iRace/SpeedVision)(5-12-1999) -- UPDATE 1: On WC Today Radio, Dave Marcis said it was news to him and he'd make an announcement when/if he was to retire. He said there was no retirement planned, nor any decision made about when it would come about(5-13-1999)

Engagements: Jerry Nadeau recently announced his engagemnet to Jada and Tony Stewart has announced his engagement to Krista Dwyer.(Sue's ADNASCAR Newsletter)(5-13-1999)

(5-12-1999)

Charlotte Final Testing Speeds/Tuesday: Elliott Sadler had the fastest speed Tuesday night during testing at Lowes, 181.769mph which betters Dale Earnhardt, Jr's lap of 181.470mph during the GM test lasy week. The rest of the top five 2) #9- Nadeau 181.087; 3) #75-Musgrave 181.026 4) #12-Mayfield 180.935; and 5) #99-Burton 180.650. Others at the test were Carl Long in the #85, Boris Said in the #14 and Andy Hillinberg(#80?). See the complete list of Ford speeds at SpeedNet - Sadler fastest in testing at Charlotte (5-12-1999)

Spencer Paint: Jimmy Spencer will introduce his car for The Winston all-star race sometime this weekend at RIR(Times-Dispatch), I hear it will be a gold paint scheme and have an image in the Paint Scheme Gallery (5-12-1999)

THE BIG MERGER! UPDATE 1 PROPOSED merger: International Speedway Corporation and Penske Motorsports, Inc. Monday announced they have signed a definitive merger agreement to create America's largest provider of motorsports entertainment. Upon completion of the transaction, ISC will operate 10 motorsports facilities across the United States with more than 800,000 seats and 400 corporate hospitality suites. In 1999, the two companies will promote more than 100 motorsports events(NOL/ISC PR...). International Speedway Corp. buys 88% of Penske Motorsports, Inc. for $50/share, a deal worth over $700 million. Here are some links to articles on the merger: ISC, Penske propose merger-NOL and the PR at DaytonaUSA - ISC and Penske Motorsports Announce Definitive Merger Agreement. In simple terms that is Bill France and Roger Penske(5-10-1999) -- UPDATE 1: the headers at NOL got changed to read Proposed, meaning it's not a done deal. Plus more articles at: ISC, Penske Motorsports merge to form mega-motorsports company(That's Racin') and SpeedNet - Penske will sell tracks to NASCAR chief's firm(5-11-1999)

Testing: I hear David Green and Bobby Hamilton were at Greenville Pickens(SC) Speedway today testing their Cup cars. Green(#41) also tested his BGN car along with Jeff Krogh(#56), Kenny Irwin(#11), Larry Pearson(#00) and Steve Grissom(#22). I hear Jason Jarrett was there but not sure if he tested at all. Question asked: Why do so many teams test at Greenville Pickens? Since it is a track the Cup and BGN series doesn't run a race on, it does not count against a team to test there. The track, being a short track, is similar to Richmond and used by teams to get ready for tracks such as Richmond and Martinsville(5-11-1999)

Kyles Ride: Kyle Petty's Charity Ride Across America ended Sunday when Petty and his group of 250 riders arrived at his farm after eight consecutive days on the road. The ride started in Fontana, CA, near the California Speedway. All proceeds from the ride, about $500,000, went to children's hospitals across the country. On Sunday, Kyle Petty donated $100,000 to Brenner Children's Hospital in Winston-Salem. See the rest of the AP story at Kyle Petty's cross-country charity ride nets $500,000 (PitNow)(5-11-1999)

#90 Junie/Hut UPDATE 1: I hear Hut Stricklin will drive for Junie Donlavey in the #90 at Richmond and they hope to have Hills Brothers Coffee as the sponsor(Inside Motorsports)(5-5-1999) -- UPDATE 1: Junie Donlavey has a one-race sponsorship contract with Hills Brothers Coffee for the Pontiac 400(Times-Dispatch)(5-11-1999)

Davis 2nd Cup Team: As reported here off and on for the last year or so, Bill Davis Racing will have a 2nd Cup full time team in 2000. The #93 Amoco team with driver Dave Blaney and crew chief Gil Martin will move up from the BGN ranks. The #93 Amoco Ultimate Team 93 and driver Dave Blaney will test its Winston Cup cars at Michigan Speedway next Monday and Tuesday(May 17-18) in preparation for its first WC start at the two-mile oval June 13. Blaney will also enter the Cup events at New Hampshire in July, Indianapolis in August, and Miami and Atlanta in November as the team gears up for a full Winston Cup season in 2000(Bill Davis PR)(5-11-1999)

Safety Announcements: NASCAR drivers Jeremy Mayfield and Ward Burton have been picked to participate in a series of highway safety public service announcements by the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program. The invitation was issued by Joe Parker, director of the program, and Governor Jim Hunt. Mayfield and Burton will participate in the program, which is designed to reach young, mostly male motorists. Those are the type “who refuse buckle up and who are most likely to drive after drinking,” according to Jill Warren Lucas, Public Information Officer, Governor’s Highway Safety Program. The two drivers will tape public service announcements to be used for as many as five broadcast PSA’s and many more radio spots(The Williams Company)(5-11-1999)

Gordon's 200th start: Gordon has more poles (25) than Petty (14) and Earnhardt (5) had between them in their first 200 starts. The same is true for victories -- Gordon has 45, while Petty had 23 and Earnhardt 13.(That's Racin')(5-11-1999)

Monday's Final Test Speeds: Mark Martin had the fastest lap at LMS testing with a speed of 180.911mph, last week Dale Earnhardt, Jr turned a lap of 181.470mph during the GM test. The rest of the top five: 2) #16-Lepage 180.511; 3) #11-Bodine 180.457; 4) #2-Wallace 180.138; and 5) #21-Sadler 179.760. For the rest of the speeds see the article at SpeedNet: Martin leads testing at Charlotte (5-11-1999)

(5-10-1999)

#98 Sponsor: Hobas Pipe will sponsor the #98 Yarborough-Burdette Ford driven by Rick Mast at Richmond, the Winston Open and the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway(NOL)(5-10-1999)

Hamilton Tests: The #4 Kodak Chevy was at Greenville Pickens Speedway(SC)testing three cars(5-10-1999)